A Time for Renewal

October 4, 2023

For many, spring signals a time of renewal. It makes sense. A long season of cold and dark has passed and a new season full of warmth and new growth springs forward.

I don’t disagree with that, but for me, fall tends to be more invigorating and hopeful than spring. I love the cooler weather and generally, the shorter days don’t bother me. Instead, those fall attributes cause me to look for renewal in my life.

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I took this week’s photo several years ago on a fall trip to Vermont. Many of the leaves were already a tad past their prime. You can see how some of the darker leaves contrast with the bright yellows, but still—all very beautiful.

Makes me think about people.

Some of us are beyond middle age and heading toward the fall season of our lives. I see myself in that situation. Like these trees, even if my steps, thoughts, memories, or any other abilities may be just a little past their prime, I have lots to offer.

So do you. No matter your age or lost abilities, you have much to offer to others and to God. We can shed our minds of focusing on past accomplishments or failures. Those are history. The fun thing about spring or fall (or any other time) renewal is that we focus on the future. We focus on what we can do for God and others.

In Ephesians, Paul encourages believers to move past their old selves. Step away from those things we thought and did before Jesus changed us into our new selves. If you’re not a believer, this is a huge step in accepting Christ as your Lord and Savior. If you are already a Christian, it is an act of renewal.

I like the way these verses are translated in The Message.

 “But that’s no life for you. You learned Christ! My assumption is that you have paid careful attention to him, been well instructed in the truth precisely as we have it in Jesus. Since, then, we do not have the excuse of ignorance, everything—and I do mean everything—connected with that old way of life has to go. It’s rotten through and through. Get rid of it! And then take on an entirely new way of life—a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you.” (Ephesians 4:20-24, The MSG)

It doesn’t matter if it’s fall, spring, or any other time of the year. Now is a good time to put those old ways behind us and be renewed by God’s character in us.